Citroen is relaunching its brand identity and adding a luxury car range under the historic DS banner.
Citroen revealed both the new logo, corporate identity and plans for new-look dealerships at an event in Paris yesterday.
The event also saw the unveiling of the first of three distinct DS models. Shown as a concept, which will be publicly revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, the DS Inside will go into production as the DS3 in 2010. The DS3 supermini will sit alongside (in terms of size) and above (in terms of cost and equipment) the Citroen C3, itself due for replacement next year.
The Mini-rivaling DS3 will be followed by the DS4 and DS5, which will rival the BMW 1-series and BMW 3-series respectively.
While the DS models will carry the new Citroen logo and be sold through selected Citroen dealers, they will be distinctly designed models and will not be just range-topping re-badged versions of the C3, C4 and C5.
Under the new global plan for Citroen and the DS range, all Citroen dealers will adopt a new look in the next five years with distinct sales and aftersales areas.
For a full analysis of Citroen’s plans see BusinessCar.co.uk next week.
